National

Water

Resources

Board Philippine Presentation

Green Growth on

Water Allocation Policy

By

Engr. Arlene C. Diaz

National Water Resources Board

NATIONAL WATER RESOURCES BOARD

Outline

Philippine Water Resources

Existing Water Allocation System

in the context of green growth

Major Challenges in

mainstreaming green growth in

water allocation system

NATIONAL WATER RESOURCES BOARD

Average Rainfall

2,400 mm per year

421 rivers

79 Lakes

Surface Water

125.8 billion

m3 Groundwater

20.2 billion m3

Water Resources Potential

146 billion m3 Picture taken from:

http://prairierivers.org

Philippine Water Resources

58% has been

allocated

NATIONAL WATER RESOURCES BOARD

IV: Southern Tagalog

I: Ilocos

III: Central Luzon

II: Cagayan Valley

V: Bicol

VII: Central

Visayas

VI: Western

Visayas

VIII: Eastern

Visayas

IX: Southwestern

Mindanao

XII: Southern

Mindanao

X: Northern

Mindanao

XI: Southeastern

Mindanao

Philippine Water Resources

Baguio City

Angeles City

Metro Manila

Iloilo City

Zamboanga City

Davao City

Davao City

Cebu City

Bacolod City

NATIONAL WATER RESOURCES BOARD

The situation calls for better management of water

resources through optimum and beneficial

resource utilization without jeopardizing the

environment.

This is one of the important principles to consider

in establishing water allocation policy within the

perspective of green economy.

Securing enough water for human well-being,

economic development and environment provides

opportunity to meet the nation’s development

objectives because water is central to the whole

economy and society.

NATIONAL WATER RESOURCES BOARD

Existing Water Allocation System in the

context of Green Growth

Basic water law in the Philippines that governs

the ownership, appropriation, utilization,

exploitation, development, conservation and

protection of water resources.

Provides that the preference in the use and

development of water shall consider current usage and

be responsive to the changing needs of the country

Defines the extent of the rights and obligations of

water users including the protection and regulation of

such rights

NATIONAL WATER RESOURCES BOARD

Important Features of the Code

Water Rights System is the tool for water resources

allocation

The measure and limit of appropriation of water shall be

beneficial use

“Beneficial use” is the utilization of water in the right amount

during the period that the water is needed for producing the

benefits for which the water is appropriated

Water shall remain valid as long as water is beneficial,

however, may be modified or cancelled after due process

in violations of water permit conditions or in favor of a

project of greater beneficial use or multi-purpose

development.

In the case of greater beneficial use permit holder who

suffers shall be duly compensated

NATIONAL WATER RESOURCES BOARD

Important Features of the Code

It recognized the environment as a legitimate water user

through the provision of environmental flow (10% of the

80% dependable flow) in the allocation of surface water.

In general, with regards to groundwater allocation, safe

yield is the basis for allocation.

The Code’s Implementing Rules and Regulation requires

the submission of Environmental Compliance Certificate

or Certificate of Non-Coverage from the Department of

Environment and Natural Resources.

NATIONAL WATER RESOURCES BOARD

Related Policies on Water Allocation

Moratorium on groundwater allocation in two out of the

nine identified groundwater critical areas

Water allocation policy for golf courses in critical areas

Revised the water standard for irrigating turf grasses

Requires the implementation of water conservation

measures and program to encourage efficient use of water

Revised policy on granting water rights for hydropower

project

Requires the submission of environmental/ecological study

and sustainability plan

Requires the installation of gauging stations to measure

the inflow and outflows in the reservoir

NATIONAL WATER RESOURCES BOARD

Limited data/information and lack of decision support

tools/system hampers the effective implementation of

these policies, including the monitoring of its

effectiveness

Strict enforcement of laws and policies on violations on

water permit conditions and illegal water users which

calls for sufficient and active monitoring of water use.

To link basin development and management planning

into the water allocation system which takes into

account the immediate to medium-term competing water

requirements within the basin and between sectors

Major Challenges in mainstreaming green

growth in water allocation system

NATIONAL WATER RESOURCES BOARD